Messages - BHaase

I use it to maintain traditional German brewing practices, because of my German heritage. There is a fantastic thread on Homebrew Talk pinned as "A Brewing Water Chemistry Primer". It touches upon the use of 5.2, acidulated malt, latic, and a lot of other topics. It's a long read but very insightful http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f128/brewing-water-chemistry-primer-198460/

I think that you took my post the wrong way. My point was that using a pH meter was the best move I made, along with using DI water to cut my existing water profile. I do not need 5.2 because I now use acidulated malt in my mash to reduce the pH. I did not mean using acidulated malt made my beers better. You can use any acid (hydrochloric, latic, phosphoric, sulfuric, acidulated malt, etc.) to reduce pH, but without a way to measure the impacts your flying in the dark. I do brew mostly German beers and I try to keep to the Reinheitsgebot, so utilizing acidulated malt and carbonating with speise is my way to adhere to the law.

Brewed a Marzen last weekend for Oktoberfest and it hit 97 degrees on the back porch. It was so hot that I couldn`t drop my wort below 50 degrees using ice and my IWPC . I had to transfer the wort to the carboys to chill down in the freezer before aerating and pitching the yeast. That was the first time in 8 years of brewing that I had to do that.

I threw out what I had remaining of 5.2, bought a pH meter, and haven`t looked back. I now use acidulated malt for my mash and Latic or phosphoric acid for my sparge water to lower my pH. In my case it was one the best moves I made to make better beers, along with cutting my existing water with DI water.

I filled 4 better bottles with water for drinking, and filled the bath tub with water for non-potable uses. Setup the propane camping stove on the covered porch, and set the NOAA portable radio. Drained the the sump pump pit prior to the storm, and secured all loose items. I thought I had everything covered and then......

Several hours later I came down stairs and the carpeting was wet. The rubber boot on the sump pump piping broke loose. Had my own little water feature coming out of the slab. I have everything tightened down and all the water swept up. Need to make a run to Home Depot tomorrow. We are expecting 5-10 inches of rain tonight and right now the wind is howling. Woo Hoo! reminds me of living in Florida.

Great pictures and commentary, I have been to Europe in the past but never to England. We are planning another trip to Germany and the Czech Republic in a couple of years, but now you have me thinking of another side trip. Thanks for the post

Well I have been away from the forum for a long time due to family business, but I am glad to be finally back. I'm a little behind on the learning curve on all the topics, but I will use the search option to catch up.

I do have a question that I could not fine. I have two tubes of WLP 830 that have best buy dates of January 5, 2013, and November 25, 2012. That means that the newer tube is 68% viable and the older is 38%. Should I make separate starters for each tube, or should I average the viability and make one starter?